On multi-use applications unlocking behind-the-meter flexibility for grid-serving services

International Journal of Electrical Power & Energy Systems, vol. 158, pp. 109920

Abstract

This paper introduces multi-use applications to unlock behind-the-meter flexibility by integrating grid-serving capabilities with user-oriented control strategies. We deploy a hierarchical flexibility coordination process in a co-simulation research environment and propose a control strategy prioritizing self-consumption optimization with a secondary focus on grid-serving applications. This approach enhances the viability of behind-the-meter technologies, particularly benefiting battery energy storage systems with high investment costs. It also facilitates active grid operation amid the growing presence of distributed energy resources. The research’s key contribution lies in designing an information architecture to efficiently utilize behind-the-meter flexibility for grid-serving processes. The paper demonstrates the feasibility of a multi-use operation, combining user-oriented optimization and grid-serving flexibility provision for local grid congestion management. The implemented control algorithm in a home energy management system achieves grid-serving objectives while maintaining behind-the-meter asset performance. Co-simulation results show that in less than 2.5 % of simulated time steps, transformer utilization exceeds operational limits in both scenarios, indicating the viability of multi-use operation for leveraging new value streams and managing grid congestion simultaneously.

Authors 5

1. Florian Schmidtke corresponding Aachen

   Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Information Technology · RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Center for Digital Energy, Fraunhofer FIT, Hüttenstr. 5, Aachen, 52068, Germany

   IAEW at RWTH Aachen University, Schinkelstr. 6, Aachen, 52062, Germany

2. Armin Fatemi Aachen

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   IAEW at RWTH Aachen University, Schinkelstr. 6, Aachen, 52062, Germany

3. Thomas Offergeld Aachen

   Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Information Technology · RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Center for Digital Energy, Fraunhofer FIT, Hüttenstr. 5, Aachen, 52068, Germany

   IAEW at RWTH Aachen University, Schinkelstr. 6, Aachen, 52062, Germany

4. Immanuel Hacker Aachen

   Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Information Technology · RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Center for Digital Energy, Fraunhofer FIT, Hüttenstr. 5, Aachen, 52068, Germany

   IAEW at RWTH Aachen University, Schinkelstr. 6, Aachen, 52062, Germany

5. Andreas Ulbig Aachen

   Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Information Technology · RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Center for Digital Energy, Fraunhofer FIT, Hüttenstr. 5, Aachen, 52068, Germany

   IAEW at RWTH Aachen University, Schinkelstr. 6, Aachen, 52062, Germany